Fort Smith AR vs Scottsdale AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fort Smith, AR
Arkansas · Population: 89,496
- Median HH Income$52,692
- Median Home Price$195,664
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+25.3%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Fort Smith +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 49.2 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 11.2% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 7.7% | 2.0% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 5.1% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 9.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $858,307 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 450 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.4% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Fort Smith +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 72.5°F | Fort Smith + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 23.2 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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